IWD Debate: Feminism is over, girls have the world at their feet.

Feminism & debate, what's not to love?!

I was incredibly privileged to participate in the debate panel for International Women's Day at Nomura today.

I was told to argue against the motion: Feminism is over, girls have the world at their feet. The debate across their offices in Hong Kong and Singapore was both lively and intelligent, and so much fun!

Part of my concluding remarks:

"In our short time together, I think you have already learnt two important facts about me. That I am an ardent feminist, and not apologetic about it, and that I love statistics. So I would like to share the results of the small poll I ran in my car this morning when I drove the kids to school. I asked my three children, my daughter and two sons, who made the better leaders, men or women. My sons shouted their answers out from the back seat (they may have said 'men!' - I am not really sure). But my 11-year old daughter refused to engage. She looked at me in disgust from the passenger seat. 'Mother, you are asking us to judge people according to their gender. You cannot do that. Your question is wholly inappropriate.' When her response becomes the default, I will be the happiest, not of women, but of people. But we are not there yet."

“ I am an ardent feminist, and not apologetic about it, and that I love statistics.”

Thank you Zoe Mottram for the invitation; and thank you to Katherine Chapman and Tanneke Zeeuw for joining as my guests and supporting me.